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Pet parents may spoil their canine companions every day, but in 2004, pet lifestyle expert and author Colleen Paige decided to create one special day dedicated to honoring the role that dogs play in our lives -- National Dog Day.

This year, in a special tribute coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, National Dog Day will honor Search & Rescue, Police, Bomb Sniffing and Fire Dogs. The event's website offers a special benefit poster series for sale commemorating these "silent heroes."

In addition to celebrating working dogs, National Dog Day seeks to educate the public about the number of dogs each year who are awaiting loving forever homes.

Paige offers many suggestions for ways to celebrate the day, but the primary goal is encouraging prospective pet parents to adopt. National Dog Day also asks citizens who do not currently own a dog to make a donation to support adoption; 100% of donations received through the event's website goes directly to saving dogs in need through re-homing and public education about spay and neuter.

Throughout the years, National Dog Day has continued to grow, and this year's event will also be celebrated in six foreign countries -- United Kingdom, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Spain and Canada. And 2004 marks another important milestone for the event. To date, National Dog Day has helped to save over 100,000 dogs since 2004.